PHD STIPEND/INTEGRATED PHD STIPEND IN GLASS MECHANICS

Updated: 10 months ago
Deadline: 01 Jun 2023

 A PhD stipend or integrated PhD stipend is available in the area of mechanical properties of glasses. 2022 was the United Nations International Year of Glass, where we celebrated the essential role that glass plays in society. However, the brittleness and low fracture toughness of oxide glass materials remains to be their main disadvantage. This PhD project builds upon related work in our group to identify and quantify structural descriptors. These descriptors will in this project be used to tailor the mechanical properties of oxide glasses.

The prospective PhD student should have an interest in working in a multidisciplinary team and perform both experimental and computational materials science. The research focus will be on the bottom-up design of new oxide glasses(both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems). These glasses will then be subjected to extensive mechanical characterization, including the application of standard techniques in our lab(indentation, single-edge precracked beam, etc.) as well as the development of new testing methods(high strain rates, in situ strain/stress fields, etc.).

The PhD project is part of the European Research Council(ERC) project“NewGLASS- New Horizons in Glass Structure Prediction and Mechanics”, which is headed by Professor Morten M. Smedskjær. The project aims to accelerate the design of new glasses by using various computational methods and processing techniques to tailor their atomic and microscopic structure and thus control the mechanical properties. The prospective PhD student will therefore collaborate with other PhD students and Postdocs working on this project.

A relevant educational background within Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science or similar is necessary. Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. We seek a candidate with strong competences in materials science/chemistry, excellent analytical skills, and proficiency in Python(or equivalent). Experience with glass science and/or mechanical characterization is highly advantageous.

The PhD student will follow courses according to the university’s PhD program. The candidate is also expected to engage in teaching within ecology, global change biology, and ecosystem modelling and be involved in project-based student supervision within the section. All educational programs at Aalborg University are based on Problem Based Learning, with projects making up half the teaching load at all semesters. For more information seewww.en.bio.aau.dk

APPLICATION

The application must contain:(1) Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position;(2) Project description, which is required for technical reasons– in this case, where you apply for a specific project, you may upload a copy of the project description above;(3) CV;(4) Diploma and transcripts of records; and(5) Other relevant information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength. For further information about scientific aspects of the stipend, please contact Professor Morten Mattrup Smedskjær([email protected] ).

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research solves important topics for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates and PhDs.

We are a dynamic workplace with high professionalism and efficiency, a good working environment and with a focus on work-life balance. We strive for a culture with collaboration that promotes openness and curiosity towards new initiatives and ideas and with a constructive approach to problem solving. As an employee at the department, you will be part of an international research environment, with a focus on innovation, knowledge sharing and excellency as well as interdisciplinary collaborations.

At the department, we have high-profile research groups and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic scientific research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department is divided into two sections: Section for Bioscience and Engineering and Section for Chemical Science and Engineering, as well as one administration. Both sections have activities on both Aalborg and Esbjerg campuses. The day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the deputy heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders.

Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. Experience with glass science and/or structure characterization is an advantage.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years.

Integrated PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who has not yet completed a Master’s degree and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study. Thus a prerequisite for acceptance is that the candidate is enrolled in a relevant Master’s programme, such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science or similar.

The integrated stipend consists of two parts, A and B. During part A you are enrolled simultaneous in the Master’s programme and in the PhD programme. The stipend consists of two SU-PhD Grants per month(SU=The Danish students’ Grants and Loans Scheme). One SU-PhD grant equals DKK 6.397 kr.(2023 level). SU-PhD Grants are paid for a maximum of two years. When the Master’s degree has been obtained, you will be employed for two years as a PhD fellow according to the present collective agreement. Part B has a maximum duration of two years.

It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science, [email protected] , phone:+45 99407408.

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science: www.phd.engineering.aau.dk  

The application is only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.


Wages and employment

Allocation of SU-PhD Grants are according to the Ministerial Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme part 12, section II. This applies only to integrated PhD stipends. Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.



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